THE Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed that Asisat Oshoala and Jennifer Echegrini have withdrawn from the Super Falcons squad to face Cape Verde in a Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie this week.
Interim Super Falcons coach Justin Madugu has therefore named replacements for the two players, just as the NFF said their withdrawals came as a late surprise, with the first leg coming up on Thursday in Abuja.
NFF’s Assistant Director (Technical), Abdulrafiu Yusuf, said Barcelona striker Oshoala and United States of America-based midfielder Echegrini had been sent their flight tickets to travel to Nigeria a week before they announced yesterday that they would be unable to join the squad.
“We were surprised that they had the flight tickets for so long and did not say anything, only for them to send different messages on Saturday that they would be unable to make the trip. However, Coach Madugu has moved swiftly to call up replacements for them,” Yusuf said.
Falconets forward Chioma Olise will take the place of Echegini while Chiamaka Chukwu of Rivers Angels has been called up to replace five-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year Oshoala.
Midfielder Halimatu Ayinde, who missed the 2024 Olympics qualifying tie against Ethiopia last month, is still out injured, and striker Ifeoma Onumonu also requested to be left out due to an injury.
Defender Michelle Alozie told the team administrator that she would be undergoing surgery.
Madugu has called up Portugal-based Peace Efih in place of Ayinde, while Rivers Angels’ midfielder Motunrayo Ezekiel is included to replace Christy Ucheibe, who is unable to travel to Nigeria from her base in Portugal.
The Super Falcons will host the first leg of the tie against Cape Verde at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Thursday, with the second leg scheduled for the Santiago-Estadio Nacional Blue Shark in Praia on Tuesday next week.
UPDATED SUPER FALCONS SQUAD TO FACE CAPE VERDE
Goalkeepers:
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Christiana Obia (Edo Queens)
Defenders:
Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca FC, Mexico); Glory Edet (FCF TP Mazembe, DR Congo); Rihanat Kasali (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Akudo Ogbonna (Remo Stars Ladies); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France)
Midfielders:
Motunrayo Ezekiel (Rivers Angels); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Chioma Olise (Edo Queens)
Forwards:
Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Chiamaka Chukwu (Rivers Angels); Esther Okoronkwo (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)
